Art Cohort

2007-03-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

Ok , I finally got some paintings posted onto my blog. Please check them out and let me know what you think.

2007-03-04T13:42:00.001-08:00

Ok, so I have tried a couple times to photograph my pieces, but they never come out very good. Maybe it is just a matter of lighting properly. Any suggestions.

2007-02-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

In a conversation about digitally created art, Molly has posted that the paint programs simulate a paint brush or pencil. I would like to share completely virtual digital representations. Where the subject, process and product remain a virtual entity, as seen here by my student Titov in Arch223. The image is a representation of his internet usage, time, content and character. While not entirely clear, it is generated from Adobe software, Illustrator and Photoshop. Digital art, what does this mean for the traditional techniques of real representation (painting with a real brush vs. the simulated brush)?

2007-01-29T07:34:00.000-08:00

Has anyone been to/had a show at the Nebraska Arts Council Showcase Gallery? I went there for the first time Friday, and I was pretty impressed. It's a really nice space, and there were quite a few people at the opening. I think they have a pretty wide variety of styles there. Maybe next year Luke and I will get around to submitting an application for a show!

I also went to the Blue Flamingo this weekend. It's a thrift store/fair trade store kind of place. On the last Friday of the month, they have a little event with free coffee and cookies, live music or readings, etc. When I was talking to one of the people there about doing a painting performance at one of their events, she mentioned that they're planning a fence-painting-party for their garden in the spring. They're planning on letting anyone participate, and decorate the fence with paint, mosaic, whatever. Might be a fun activity for all of us!

I noticed we have a new blog member. Hi Sam, I think you had some paintings at the Omaha Magic Theatre at the same time Luke and I had paintings there. Small world!

2007-01-22T10:12:00.000-08:00

Jackson Pollock

There's a website, www.jacksonpollock.org, where you can create "Pollock-esque" paintings. You just drag your mouse around - quick movements make skinny lines, slower movements make big globs. You click the mouse button to change colors at random. It's pretty fun, but at the same time, I think it portrays Pollock's work as random and chaotic (the paint flow is very hard to control). Assuming one can trust Wikipedia and my distant art history class memories, his paintings were at least partially deliberate.

Am I being too critical of what is basically just a fun website? Or does the owner of such a significant domain name have a responsibility to educate people about Pollock rather than just turning his style into a simplistic game?

2007-01-18T09:01:00.000-08:00

Drawing with a mouse is way harder than drawing with a pencil...

Anyone feel like going to an art gallery this weekend?

2007-01-10T14:56:00.000-08:00

My Paint Program submission.

2007-01-10T14:38:00.000-08:00

My response to Molly's comment on Luke's Janurary 9th post.

2007-01-10T14:33:00.000-08:00

An idea...
Do a search for "online paint program" and try to draw something with what you find. Here is my first quick attempt (captured with a screen shot). Anyone else want to try? We could have a friendly little competition! :)

2007-01-09T18:34:00.000-08:00

Okay, so as my first post, I want to bring up something that usually floats to the top of my mind a few times a month. Molly knows all about it but I just wanted to see what others think.

You see, I believe that there are shortcuts to making money in art... shortcuts that take opportunity from others. Prints, photos, digital replication... people are replicating work without their own hands in the mix are taking precious wall space from those willing to actually physically create something. There are levels at which they are acceptable, a photograph that is hand printed or printed in single editions to me hold much more value. A printmaker who prints a lithograph by hand is certainly also an exception. There is craft involved. Sending work away to be mass produced or produced by the hands of an uncredited assistant is to me not acceptable. And at some level the majority of the population gets lost. Not knowing the difference they buy a poster of a master or even worse they buy into an edition of prints sold for a hefty sum of money but not actually made by the person who has signed them. It is a slap in the face of those who desire to be collected, who want a chance to be regarded with esteem. Our audience needs to be educated and artists need to apply some restraint.

What do you think?

2007-01-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

Apparently there is a group of 3 people in NYC who go around decorating dog poop left on the sidewalks. It's kind of impressive, certainly amusing, and sort of nauseating.
Just curious, would you consider it art? I haven't decided yet.
http://www.sprinklebrigade.com/

2007-01-03T08:15:00.000-08:00

I am interested to hear what people have to say about the Sounding Stones at Turner Park. From my experience not a lot of people even know what they are. Check out more Omaha Public Art.

2006-12-31T13:48:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Andy for setting up this weblog!

As it's New Year's Eve, I think a toast is in order:
(raise your glasses)
To 2007: May we all remember that doing art is always way better than watching tv, no matter how tired or uninspired we may feel; may we always recognize art/beauty/interest in everything we see; and may we make something beautiful each and every day.
Cheers!

2006-12-28T13:19:00.000-08:00

Sounds good, I will try and scan in some photos of my work this weekend. I have never heard of Film Streams, that would be interesting to go see some films. That brings up another idea, of how or if we introduce other fields, film, music, textiles, performance, etc etc. Just something to think about.

Talk to you soon,

Andy

2006-12-28T13:18:00.000-08:00

Thanks for writing back, Andy! I'm copying Luke on this reply, too. We are both pretty excited about the idea of having more artist friends! We're pretty booked up schedule-wise until after the holidays, but I think we should start some brainstorming over email, then make it a New Year's resolution to actually carry a few of our ideas out.

I like your ideas so far. I have to be honest, though, I'm not sure if I'd be able to keep up with a book group. I have a book club already, and it's all I can do to keep up with the one.

Oh! Have you heard about Film Streams? It's a new independent movie theater that's opening in the spring (I think). It's part of the new Saddle Creek building north of downtown. Once that opens, going to some "artsy" films might be another source of inspiration and impetus for discussion.

I'm curious about the kind of work you do. Do you have any photos on the web anywhere? If not, could you email a couple?

I think I'll mention this collaboration plan to a few other artists I know (or am aquainted with). Maybe they'd like to join us, or would know about a group already in place that we could work with. I'll let you know if I get any response from that.

Thanks!
Molly

2006-12-28T13:17:00.000-08:00

Molly,

Hey! Thanks for the e-mail response, you are the first and only person to respond thus far. I looked at your website some and it looks pretty interesting. I have been thinking about the three canvas idea that you used in "Triptych". It is an interesting idea. I just moved back to Omaha from Chicago and I am an architect by trade, but I like to do my own art at home. I went to school down in Lincoln . I am really interested in different ways of thinking or looking at the canvas, and mixed media. I do mostly painting, some drawing. A couple thoughts on ideas of things to do to break the ice, maybe get some others involved:

Of course e-mail discussion, or web blog/ basically via internet

Wine night and share our studios/ own works

Gallery night and talk about others works (Good way to introduce some other artists)

Book group (Good way to uncover a possible project/ discussion topic) (Gradual way of possibly introducing in some others)

So many thoughts in my head, I am pretty excited about getting more involved. Thanks for e-mailing and hope to hear from you soon.

Andy

2006-12-28T13:16:00.000-08:00

Hi. I saw your post on craigslist about discussion and collaborative work with other artists. Have you gotten any responses so far? My partner and I do collaborative work and live performances. Between the two of us, we have all kinds of grand ideas for things like live art events, drawing exchanges, and informal critiques. We haven't made many of them happen, though - partially due to lack of time and partially due to a lack of connection with other artists in the area. You can take a look at our website if you'd like - www.lukeandmolly.com. It hasn't been updated in awhile, but it'll give you a little of an idea of what we're about. If you'd like, email me back and we'll get a discussion going about ways we might be able to work together.

Thanks!
Molly

2006-12-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

Original Post on Craigslist on Tuesday Dec 12, 2006:

I am looking to get involved in some discussion or collaborative work with another or some other artists/creative people. Please let me know if you are interested and any suggestions you may have.